Caribbean Challenge Initiative

THE CCI IS A COALITION OF GOVERNMENTS , COMPANIES AND PARTNERS WORKING TOGETHER TO ACCELERATE ACTION ON THE MARINE AND COASTAL ENVIRONMENT.​

CCI Governments

A number of Caribbean Governments have joined together to chart a new course for marine and coastal conservation

CCI Companies

15 companies have joined Caribbean Governments in the '20 by 20' marine conservation challenge

CCI Partners

Several private sector organizations have partnered with Caribbean Governments to advance progress on the '20 by 20' goals

Welcome to the website of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative

As the Envoy of the CCI, it gives me pleasure to write this brief introduction and also, highlight our current collaborations and partnerships to build on our original 20 x 20 goals in support of both regional and international initiatives to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean area as protected areas by 2030.

You can read more about these 30 x 30 goals on caribbean30x30.org and also here. The Caribbean Challenge Initiative (CCI) was created in 2008, as an innovative platform uniting governments, international cooperation agencies and the private sector to voluntarily work on collective actions to conserve and sustainably manage the Caribbean’s marine and coastal environment. 

The creation of the CCI led to the establishment of the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund in 2012 with financial commitments from the Government of Germany, GEF and TNC for its endowment fund. The CBF is at the heart of the Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture partnering with 10 national conservation trust funds. Today, the CBF is an umbrella fund with a flexible structure to implement innovative solutions for resource mobilization at the regional level through a range of financial instruments. 

Currently, the CBF manages a total of US$125 million, including US$75 million in its Conservation Finance Program endowment which aims to supports 12 countries across the region, and a US$50 million sinking fund for Ecosystem-based Adaptation which anchors the CBF’s Climate Change Program. Access to Funding and creation of sustainable funding mechanisms remain critical to achieve the ambitious 30×30 goals. 

In July 2021, the CCI together with CBF and the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund hosted virtually the first ever Caribbean Conservation Finance Congress with the next congress planned for 2023. Saving our oceans, preserving biodiversity, mitigating the effects of climate change should be of interest to all of us. So, please take some time and learn more about the important 30×30 goals and the Caribbean Challenge Initiative. 

Sincerely, 

Karolin Troubetzkoy Envoy, 

Caribbean Challenge Initiative Chairperson, 

Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund

Caribbean
30x30

The Caribbean Challenge Initiative is pleased to support the  Caribbean 30×30 initiative.

The 30×30 goal aims to ensure a prosperous future for the Caribbean community by protecting its natural resources and biodiversity.

The 30 by 30 target is a worldwide initiative for governments to designate 30% of Earth’s land and ocean area as protected areas by 2030. There are currently 2 major political initiatives working jointly to promote 30×30 globally:

  • The Costa Rica and France led High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People has a central goal of protecting at least 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030; and
  • The United Kingdom-led Global Ocean Alliance (GOA) focuses specifically on the conservation of marine biodiversity and resources.

Both the HAC and GOA are working towards the 30×30 goal. However the HAC’s emphasis on protecting both land and ocean-based resources has made it a popular programme for ambitious governments around the world. Currently over 85 countries are currently working towards meeting the 30×30, and 12 Caribbean nations are participating as either HAC or GOA members.

THE CARIBBEAN IS OUR HOME!

Join Sir Richard Branson, Founder of the Virgin Group, Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr. the Hon. Orlando Smith, Premier of the British Virgin Islands, and others in the Caribbean Challenge Initiative.

Recent Posts

Caribbean Conservation Finance

The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund and the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund are proud to be the co-organizers and hosts of the inaugural Caribbean Conservation Finance Congress scheduled for July 6th – 8th, 2021 in a virtual format. The Congress will focus on building and showcasing Caribbean sustainable financing solutions for conservation and sustainable development, exchanging experiences among Caribbean actors, and learning from other regions and global initiatives.

Caribbean
Biodiversity Fund

Established in 2012, the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF) is the realization of a bold vision to create reliable, long-term funding for conservation and sustainable development in the Caribbean region. The CBF and a group of National Conservation Trust Funds (NCTFs) together form the Caribbean Sustainable Finance Architecture.